Large-scale deployment of industrial robots in China's manufacturing: Industrial automation reshapes the global supply chain landscape under the drive of new quality productive forces.

China's manufacturing industry is undergoing a profound transformation led by robotics and physical AI. According to a report released by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the number of industrial robots installed in China reached 354,000 in 2025, accounting for nearly 60% of global installations, solidifying its position as the world's largest industrial robot market. This data is not just a simple increase in numbers; it profoundly reveals the strategic focus of China's industrial upgrading—elevating robotics and AI technology to become the core engine driving economic growth.

The Physical Carrier of New Quality Productive Forces In the 14th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), China has explicitly designated physical AI and robotics as key drivers for future economic growth. This strategic deployment marks China's shift from traditional scale-driven growth to a new quality productive forces model based on high technology content and high added value. The widespread application of robotics is not just a tool to improve production efficiency; it is a crucial means to achieve flexible manufacturing, automate complex processes, and respond to changes in the labor structure. This focus on "physical AI" foreshadows an acceleration in the intelligent process of China's manufacturing industry.

Deep Penetration into Core Industries

At the specific application level, the penetration of robots across different industries shows structural characteristics. The electronics manufacturing industry, as the largest purchaser of industrial robots, saw a year-on-year increase of 16% in installations in 2025, indicating continued investment in high-end manufacturing. The automotive industry, a key pillar of China's "Made in China," experienced an explosive growth of 38% in robot installations, reaching 78,900 units, which directly reflects China's accelerated layout in electric vehicle production and intelligent manufacturing. The metal and mechanical industry also welcomed strong growth, with installations climbing by 44%, showing that robot technology is penetrating traditional heavy industry. In contrast, the robot installations in the food and beverage industry have seen a significant decline, which may suggest that the priority and maturity of automation deployment are still being adjusted in certain sectors.

Domestic Substitution and Supply Chain Resilience

It is noteworthy that in the field of robot manufacturing, the competitiveness of domestic suppliers in China is gradually strengthening. In 2025, the number of robots installed supplied by Chinese manufacturers increased by 15% year-on-year, accounting for nearly half of the domestic market share. This is not only an optimization of the domestic industrial chain but also a manifestation of China achieving technological self-reliance in key high-end industrial equipment. Nevertheless, the import of robots from international suppliers also showed a year-on-year increase of 27%, indicating that the global high-added-value industrial applications still rely on mature technologies, and it highlights the pressure on Chinese enterprises to catch up in technological iteration.

Long-Term Trend Outlook

The International Federation of Robotics predicts that, under the combined influence of population structure pressures and aging trends, the average compound annual growth rate of the Chinese industrial robot market will remain in the range of 5% to 10% until 2029.Long-term Trend Outlook

The International Federation of Robotics predicts that, under the combined influence of demographic pressures and the aging trend, the average annual compound growth rate of the Chinese industrial robot market will remain in the range of 5% to 10% until 2029. Looking ahead, China's robotics industry is transforming towards becoming an "innovator of physical AI" and a "developer of intelligent industrial robots." This transformation path will profoundly impact the restructuring of global supply chains: on one hand, it will enhance the resilience and cost competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing, strengthening its position in the global value chain; on the other hand, it also suggests that the global manufacturing sector's demand for automation solutions will further shift towards systems with physical intelligence and AI capabilities, accelerating the process of intelligent differentiation in global industrial chains.